Disease Outbreak Alerts

Updates on current disease outbreaks are listed here as they occur and will include the date listed, disease name, location and current status. Specific premises will not be named but the general location by town, county and state will be listed. When locations, events or horses are at risk they will be listed. Updates will be posted as they are received.

State

Disease

Dates

March 19, 2018

Equine Herpes Viruses

The Meadows Racetrack, PA

Quarantine Released

Source:
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

All movement restrictions are removed from The Meadows Racetrack as of March 16th. Quarantines exist in the area for exposed horses which have moved off the affected premises and are following revocation protocols.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in Union County, New Jersey. The horse was moved into the isolation barn on the property and the property has been quarantined. No recent movement of horses had occurred at the index property prior to this case. Temperatures are being taken twice daily on all quarantined horses. It is the first reported case in New Jersey in 2018.EHM is a reportable disease in New Jersey. If an owner has a horse exhibiting neurologic signs or suspects Equine Herpes, they are directed to call their veterinarian immediately. For more information go to: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetEHM.pdf.

Wyoming Livestock Board confirmed a horse in Sheridan County has tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The horse has been quarantined at its premise in Sheridan County with 12 other horses. The affected horse began showing neurologic signs on Sunday, March 11 while competing at a barrel racing event at the Cam-plex facility in Gillette. Owners of any horses attending that event should consult with their veterinarians and take precautions regarding exposure risk. At a minimum, these precautions should include close monitoring of the horses and checking their temperatures at least twice daily. If any of the horses show neurologic signs or fever, the owner needs to contact his/her veterinarian and the Wyoming Livestock Board.Although the source of the infection in the quarantined horse is unknown, this horse did compete at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds in Casper on Thursday, March 1, and at Laramie County Community College, Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4. Horses at the events may have been exposed. Because the incubation period for the disease is less than 14 days, clinical signs should have been apparent in any exposed horses. However potentially exposed horses should be monitored for at least 14 days since any possible exposure at events. More information on Equine Herpes Virus can be obtained by contacting the Wyoming Livestock Board Field Office at 307-857-4140 or by going to: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetEHV.pdf and https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/DiseaseFactsheetEHM.pdf.

March 15, 2018

Strangles

Levy, Clay, Palm Beach, and Volusia Counties, FL

Confirmed case(s): Official Quarantine

Source:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed several cases of Strangles. One premise in Levy County, Florida was placed under quarantine on 3/8/18 for clinical signs of Strangles. Two of the eight horses on the premise are showing clinical signs at this time. One premise in Clay County, Florida was also placed under quarantine on 3/8/18 for clinical signs and a positive PCR of Strangles after arriving from a Louisiana “kill pen”. Five of the 43 horses on the premise are showing clinical signs at this time. One premise in Clay County Florida was placed under quarantine on 3/9/18 for clinical signs and a positive PCR of Strangles after arriving from a Louisiana “kill pen”. One of the 3 horses on the property is showing clinical signs at this time. One premise in Palm Beach County, Florida was placed under quarantine on 3/14/18 for clinical signs and a positive PCR of Strangles. Three of the 8 horses on the property are showing clinical signs at this time. One premise in Volusia County, Florida was placed under quarantine on 3/15/18 for clinical signs and a positive PCR of Strangles after arriving from a Louisiana “kill pen”. One of the 4 horses on the property is showing clinical signs at the time. The quarantine totals for each of these counties are as follows: one in Levy County, two in Clay County, one in Palm Beach County, and one in Volusia County. This brings the total to 14 Strangles quarantines for the state of Florida in 2018.

March 15, 2018

Eastern Equine Encephalitis

Levy, Marion, Polk, Flagler, and Columbia Counties, FL

Confirmed Case(s): No Quarantine

Source:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed several cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis. One horse in Levy County, FL tested positive for EEE on 3/2/18. The 2-year-old Thoroughbred gelding became clinical on February 24 and has made a full recovery. The horse was vaccinated in June 2017. One horse in Marion County, FL tested positive for EEE on 3/7/18. The 2-year-old Andalusian mare was euthanized due to poor prognosis and severe clinical signs. She was vaccinated approximately 1 year ago. One horse in Levy County, FL tested positive for EEE on 3/8/18. The 17-year-old Arabian gelding was euthanized due to poor prognosis and severe clinical signs. She was vaccinated in 2015. One horse in Polk County, FL also tested positive for EEE on 3/8/18. The 9-month-old Quarter Horse mare was euthanized due to poor prognosis and severe clinical signs. She has no history of vaccinations. One horse in Flagler County, FL tested positive for EEE on 3/13/18. The 1-year-old Quarter Horse mare died of natural causes. She was vaccinated in August of 2017. One horse in Columbia County, FL tested positive for EEE on 3/15/18. The 11-month-old Thoroughbred mare was euthanized due to poor prognosis and severe clinical signs. Vaccination history is unknown.

The Kentucky Office of the State Veterinarian released Barn 7 from the EHV-1 quarantine. There are no positive horses remaining on the grounds and there are no barns or horses at TTC under quarantine for EHV-1. All associated movement and training restrictions previously imposed are now rescinded. Additionally, with removal of this quarantine at TTC, there are no racing or training facilities in KY under quarantine.

March 09, 2018

Equine Herpes Viruses

Belmont Racetrack, Elmont, NY

Quarantine Released

Source:
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets released Barn 10 from quarantine for EHV-1 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

March 09, 2018

Equine Herpes Viruses

Montgomery, Calvert, and St. Mary's Counties, MD

Suspected Case(s): Official Quarantine

Source:
Maryland Department of Agriculture

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has reported three farms in Maryland were put under hold on March 1, 2018 as they had horses that had been at the premises in VA the weekend of February 24 and 25. One farm in Montgomery County reported a horse with a fever that did test positive on blood only not on the nasal swabs on March 5. A horse was reported with a fever on a farm in Calvert County on March 7 but tested negative on blood and swabs both on March 8. The third farm in St. Mary's county reports that all horses remain afebrile. All three farms remain under hold orders. No horses have displayed any neurologic signs.

March 08, 2018

Equine Herpes Viruses

The Thoroughbred Center, KY

Outbreak Update

Source:
Kentucky Department of Agriculture

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture confirmed samples collected from horses in Barn 30 at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington tested negative for EHV-1. These horses have been monitored daily for greater than 14 days since any horse in the barn had opportunity to be exposure to a EHV-1. The horses in Barn 30 have been released from the quarantine and other restrictions imposed by the KY Department of Agriculture. The horses previously testing positive but have yet to be resolved, continue to be housed separate and apart from the general population while being assessments and tested before allowing their return and reintroduction to the general population.

March 08, 2018

Equine Infectious Anemia

Bastrop Country, TX

Confirmed case(s): Official Quarantine

Source:
Texas Animal Health Commission

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in one Bastrop County Quarter Horse. The positive horse has been euthanized and the premises will remain under quarantine until requirements for release have been met.

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